Hello everyone!

Man, August needs to hurry up and get here. I can't WAIT for Ahsoka. (also please let Rex be in there I know that they SAID that Tem

is confirmed for it but I need to see it with my own eyeballs)

In case you missed it, I've got my own Discord channel on the Emerald Library server! Here's the link: discord . gg . / elibrary

(without the spaces because fanfiction . net is dumb)

(it's free of charge if any of you were concerned) (also I'm not super familiar with how the server works yet but I think

what you're supposed to do is say you're a reader when it asks and then my channel is under the misc fandoms/superhero section

for some reason)

ZabuzasGirl: Thank you!

Aquarica: Thank you so much! And you are correct! You wouldn't know I believe that with all the crap I make them go through...

TW: Human experimentation on children, invasive procedures (is that the correct term)

Mando'a translations at the end!

ABSOLVED: Chapter 31

"There." Tech said, handing the repaired translator to the Ithorian woman. He had only recently recovered the use of his voice and was feeling almost like himself again. The woman took the device eagerly and quickly put it back into place. She clicked it on and immediately began to speak.
"Is it working?" She asked aloud, undercut by the actual rumbling of her voice. "Oh, thank you!"

She grabbed Tech into a hug. Her wizened arms were surprisingly strong.

"Er- it was no trouble." Tech said.

"You are wonderful." She said, letting go. "Wonderful, wonderful boy."

Tech frowned and adjusted his goggles, He was mentally and physically an adult. She had no reason to call him a 'boy.'

"I am Haali." The woman said. "I am so glad to be here to help fight the Empire."

"We- are glad to have you." Tech said, glancing at Taja. She seemed to be trying not to laugh. "But I am not the one you should be speaking to."

"Of course, of course!" Haali said. She patted Tech's cheek. "You are injured and need rest."

"She seems very friendly." Taja commented as Haali lumbered off.

"Indeed." Tech said, his face still feeling a little warm.

Then he saw Crosshair walking towards them. He did not like the look of the smirk on Crosshair's face.

"Ah." Tech said, attempting to pretend he had not been just treated like a 6 year old. "Crosshair. Was the supply run a success?"

"Yes, it was." Crosshair said. His smirk grew wider. "And how is our wonderful boy?"

Tech adjusted his goggles.

"Need I remind you of the recording?" He said.

Crosshair's smirk immediately soured into a scowl.

"When are you going to get rid of that thing?" He asked.

"When I no longer have need of it." Tech replied.

Taja was smiling as she looked between them.

"And what recording is this?" She asked.

"I cannot tell you." Tech said. "That would defeat its purpose as blackmail."

Crosshair settled down on one of the chairs next to Tech's bed. To Tech's utter shock, he gave a nod to Taja.

"I'll find that damn thing one day and erase it from existence." Crosshair said.

"That is entirely improbable." Tech said before pausing. "I was unaware that you and Taja got along."

Crosshair raised an eyebrow at him.

"She proved herself." He said.

"Ah." Tech said, adjusting his goggles. "That is- good."

He was in fact quite pleased that Taja and Crosshair were now civil with one another. He did not want his brothers and his- potential partner to be at odds. Tech pondered momentarily how Omega would react to Taja. He decided it would be awkward, at least at first. However, Omega was more forgiving than the rest of them. He was positive it would turn out well.

He wished desperately for that time to come sooner than later. As always, the thought of his sister pained him.

"I have to go." Taja surprised Tech by speaking. "General Skywalker has a mission for Admani and I."

She smiled at him and took his hand. He tried smiling back, though he only managed to lift one side of his mouth.

"Be careful." Tech replied.

"I will." She said. "I hope you will be recovered when I return."

She ran her thumb over his knuckles, which sent an odd thrill through him. And then she was gone, and Tech found himself staring after her.

"Well, that was telling." Crosshair said.

Tech looked at Crosshair with a frown.

"What do you mean?" He asked.

"You were practically mooning after her." Crosshair said.

Tech paused. He did not try to hide how he felt about Taja, but it was odd to have Crosshair comment on it.

"Perhaps." Tech admitted. "I believe that we have feelings for one another."

Crosshair stared at him. Tech saw many emotions run across his brother's face, though he could not identify them.

"Not on the ship." Crosshair finally said.

"I- what?" Tech said.

"Not on the ship." Crosshair said. "Whatever you do together, it won't be on the Marauder. Omega and Wrecker don't need to see that. And neither do I."

Tech felt his face flush with heat. Though, Crosshair was not cursing at him and he was not glaring at Tech with his usual intensity. He was taking it far better than Tech had expected.

He smirked at Crosshair, who rolled his eyes in return.

Ahsoka hurried into the medbay. She looked around, searching, until she found Kix.

"Kix!" She called.

Kix looked up and grinned at her as she came closer.

"I got your message." She said. "Sorry, I was in a meeting. Rex is ready to come out?"

"Yes, sir." Kix said. "You're just in time; I was about to decant him regardless if you were here or not."

Ahsoka wanted to give him a 'look,' but she had to admit that she didn't want Rex to be stuck in the tank longer than necessary. He'd already been there a week. She followed Kix to the bacta tank room.

Rex's eyes were open as they came in and they crinkled into a smile as he saw Ahsoka.

Hello. He said. Here to let me out?

As quickly as I can. She replied.

Ahsoka waited as Kix worked at the console. Finally, the crane attached to Rex's harness hoisted him out of the bacta with a spattering of blue goo. Ahsoka came forward to help guide him to the ground.

"How are you feeling?" Ahsoka asked as she unbuckled the harness.

"Better now." Rex told her. "I hate those things."

Kix tossed a towel at Rex, who caught it deftly. Once he'd patted his face dry, Ahsoka kissed him. She felt him smile as he pressed back.

"I'm surprised you waited that long." He said, breaking away.

"I don't like the taste of bacta." Ahsoka said.

Rex chuckled. Ahsoka took the towel from him and began wiping the bacta off his skin. She hesitated as she got to his abdomen, where a new, gnarled scar puckered his side. She touched it gently. Rex took her hand from it and pressed her fingers to his lips.

"I'm alive, aren't I?" He said. "Can't complain too much about the scars."

Ahsoka leaned against his bare chest with a sigh.

"You're not the one who has to look at it." She said.

"For kriff's sake, Rex, put your clothes back on!" Kix snapped. "If Commander Tano hasn't hidden them, that is."

"I wouldn't need to do that." Ahsoka protested as Rex let go of her with a sheepish laugh. "They're easy to take off again."

"'Soka!'" Rex said.

"He's the one who brought it up." Ahsoka said.

Rex was flushing red as he pulled his clothes on. They weren't exactly blacks, but they weren't exactly civvies either. He could wear his armor over them, but they looked far more normal if he wasn't.

"I have good news." Ahsoka said as Rex fastened his shirt. "Master Gek and Plo are back from Ossus."

Rex looked up.

"And?" He asked.

Ahsoka grinned at him.

"It's safe. The planet is practically uninhabited and it's away from major hyperspace lanes. The Empire would have to search hard for it." She said. "We start transporting non combatants tomorrow."

"That's wonderful, 'Soka!" Rex said, his eyes sparkling. "Do we know who's going?"

"Master Ti and the younglings of course." Ahsoka said. "I know Fox is going, as well as a couple dozen clones. And- Master Plo."

Ahsoka tried to keep her sadness out of her voice. Rex looked at her.

"He's tired." He said. "We can all tell. I don't blame him for wanting rest."

Ahsoka nodded. Plo had never been the same after the Order. She didn't think he even could lead his men on a battlefield again. But his absence would leave a hole in her heart.

"How does Wolffe feel about it?" Rex asked. He came to Ahsoka and took her hand. He nodded to Kix. "Thanks, Kix."

"Just don't get impaled again." Kix grumbled, shooing them away.

Ahsoka noticed that Hapa was waiting just outside the door and hurried in as soon as she and Rex left.

"I think it was Wolffe's idea." Ahsoka said. "He's complained to me a couple of times how he's worried that Plo will get himself killed in battle."

"I know how he feels." Rex said. "Though at least I know you are working at your best. General Plo doesn't seem like his heart's in it anymore."

"No." Ahsoka agreed.

"So if General Plo is retiring, who's going to lead the 104th?" Rex asked.

Ahsoka felt herself smile broadly.

"Gek." Ahsoka said. "Wolffe requested him."

Rex laughed.

"Those two will be a pair." He said. "Kriff, and over General Fisto too. What's his reasoning?"

"He says that Gek fits the 104th best." Ahsoka said. "I actually agree."

"General Plo balanced them out." Rex said. "They're going to become the most aggressive legion in the galaxy."

"Rex!"

Fives was waving them over from Senna's bed.

"Fives." Rex said, accepting Fives' embrace. "You all right?"

"Me?" Fives said with a laugh. "Rex, what are you doing worrying about me? I didn't get a scratch."

"I always worry, vod'ika." Rex said. "Besides, I didn't get much of a report. Ahsoka just told me that everyone would recover."

Fives raised an eyebrow at Ahsoka.

"You've been a Commander for 4 years and you haven't figured out how to give a decent report yet?"

"I seem to recall you using the term 'we kicked ass' in an official report to Obi Wan." Ahsoka said.

Fives laughed loudly, but cut himself off when Senna flinched.

"Rex, I'd like you to meet someone." Fives said, putting his hand on her shoulder. "This is Senna, from 79's."

Rex reached his hand out to Senna. She took it hesitantly.

"It's nice to meet you." Rex said softly and then looked at Fives. "She- was with the rest?"

Fives nodded.

I can tell you more later. Ahsoka told Rex.

It wasn't likely that Senna wanted her pain aired in front of her. Rex sent back an acknowledgement.

"How are the recruits?" Rex asked after they bid Fives and Senna goodbye.

"Well enough." Ahsoka said. "A few kept asking after you."

Rex grimaced.

"Let me guess, Orynth and Behla?"

"Yes," Ahsoka admitted. "But there were a couple more that aren't half in love with you."

"Surprising." Rex said. "I always thought they liked you better."

"You're a good teacher." Ahsoka said.

Rex smiled at her.

"So are you." He said.

Ahsoka's comm alarm went off before she could reply.

"Kriff." She said. "I'm going to have to go, Rex. I'll see you in a few hours."

"Where are you going?" Rex asked.

Ahsoka hesitated. She had purposefully not told him about her lessons with Barriss. She didn't want him to deal with the worry while stuck in bacta.

"I've been having Barriss teach me to heal." She finally said.

As expected, Rex's brows furrowed.

"And that's where you're going?" He said.

Ahsoka nodded.

"I'd like to come." Rex said quietly.

"Rex, you should be resting." Ahsoka said. "And you know I can handle Barriss."

"I know." Rex said. "But- I don't trust her, 'Soka. If I'm there, I might be able to tell if she's doing anything to you."

Ahsoka looked at him. The concern in his eyes tugged at her heart. There would be no harm in letting him come.

"All right." She said. "Come on."

"So this is Captain Rex." Cuss said as Rex and Ahsoka approached him. "Heard you had a hand in taking down Krell. Good job."

Ahsoka noticed that Rex hesitated before taking Cuss' hand.

"It was mostly my men." Rex said gruffly. More than two years later, Ahsoka could still hear the shame and guilt in his voice. "You- knew of Krell?"

Cuss nodded.

"Served under him for a few months." He said. "Couldn't do much about the way he talked to us, but I started filing complaints about his tactics. He found out, of course, and sent my squad into a trap. We're lucky we were only captured."

"You're a braver man than me." Rex said. "I think you and Fives would make a good team."

"Didn't you lead your men against him?" Cuss sounded confused.

"After it was too late." Rex said shortly.

Ahsoka put her hand on his arm.

"Are you holding up well?" She asked Cuss.

Cuss shrugged.

"Less glamorous than some of my missions, but hey, no one's trying to kill me."

Ahsoka grinned and Rex snorted.

"Enjoy it while it lasts." Rex said.

Ahsoka nodded to Cuss and he opened the cell. Barriss looked up and her eyes widened as she saw Rex. She stared at him as he and Ahsoka came in and sat down.

"You saved my life." Rex said. "Thank you."

Barriss didn't respond. She seemed- frightened of Rex. Ahsoka probed Barriss' emotions and found the fear of the unknown. What? Ahsoka thought. Barriss had fought with clone troopers. Had she been that distant from them?

"Let us begin." Barriss finally said.

Ahsoka closed her eyes and set her hands on Barriss'. The last few times she had practiced grasping her Life Force. Now she was ready to tear it. Rex shifted next to her as Ahsoka took a pinch of her vitality. She tugged slightly. It seemed to stretch, but did not break away. With an effort, Ahsoka jerked the piece. With an unpleasant ripping sensation, she wrenched it free.

Rex sucked in a sharp breath and his presence barrelled into her, smashing the broken bit back into Ahsoka. She gasped. She felt like he had slapped her hand, forcing her to drop the piece to be reabsorbed into her.

"I'm sorry-" Rex stammered. Ahsoka opened her eyes to see him staring at her. "I didn't mean- Kriff it just felt like you were hurting yourself and I didn't think-"

Ahsoka pushed aside her annoyance.

"It's okay." She said. "I had to work up to doing that. It must have felt odd to you."

And then she felt the cold, bitter anger seeping from Barriss. She looked at her former friend to see her knuckles white as Barriss clutched her robes.

"You have bonded with a clone?" Barriss demanded.

Ahsoka stiffened at her tone.

"Yes." She said, feeling her voice freeze as it left her.

"Did the Jedi Code mean nothing to you?" Barriss said. "Attachments are forbidden! No Jedi would bond with a non sensitive for that very reason!"

"A bond does not mean attachment." Ahsoka said. She felt Rex's confused eyes on her. "I love Rex, but I could let him go."

Barriss stared at her.

"Do you know that for certain?" She asked.

"I do." Ahsoka said.

There was a silence.

"I don't believe you." Barriss whispered.

"Barriss-" Ahsoka started.

"Leave." Barriss said.

Ahsoka stared at her former friend for a long time. Then she stood, tugging at Rex with her mind. He got up hesitantly, glancing back at Barriss. Cuss quietly opened the cell and let them out.

"Thank you, Cuss." Ahsoka said. "Watch her carefully."

It wasn't until they boarded the shuttle to return to Yavin that Rex spoke.

"Maybe I shouldn't have come." He said.

"It's not your fault that she's afraid." Ahsoka said.

"Afraid?" Rex asked. "Of what?"

"Of attachment." Ahsoka said. "Like so many of the Jedi. She doesn't believe that we can love without it."

Rex was quiet.

"I don't know if I know the difference." He said.

Ahsoka smiled and took his hand.

"Attachment is possessive." She said. "And selfish. Attachment means I would choose what I want over anything. Including what you want."

"Like what you wanted to do after the crash. Take that man's life so I could live." Rex said quietly. "Even though I didn't want you to."

Ahsoka closed her eyes.

"Yes." She said. "It was wrong of me. And I'm sorry."

"But you didn't, in the end." Rex said. "And if I understand what you're saying, that was love."

Ahsoka beamed at him.

"Yes." She said. "And in the end, I was willing to let you go."

She felt her smile fade a little.

"I think Barriss had feelings for someone." She said. "And she killed those emotions for the sake of the Jedi Code. She's afraid that love without attachment is possible and that she didn't have to sacrifice her own."

Rex nodded slowly. He squeezed her hand.

"I don't understand how you got to be so wise." He said.

"I have many wise people in my life." Ahsoka replied. "And I do my best to learn from them."

Ahsoka's heart ached for Barriss. If she was so wise, why couldn't she help her old friend understand?

Omega lay curled on her thin bed. She had long since cried out her tears of the day. This place was so much like Kamino, but worse than her former home. More and more clones were being slated for decommissioning here. Omega had lost count for today.

Except- they weren't being decommissioned, at least not right away. Sometimes she heard screams from the area of the facility where the doomed clones were taken. Nala Se was spending more time there, leaving Omega to tend to the pitiful number of clones they allowed to live. Omega wondered if Nala Se would have let any be treated if she weren't there.

The strangest thing was that the clones were starting to talk again, to question what was happening. Some even seemed angry. But Omega only treated the still silent, passionless clones.

She was beginning to realize that many of these clones were not brought here for medical purposes.

The chips were wearing off.

It should have been a happy thought, but it made Omega's insides twist. What good were their minds if they woke up surrounded by enemies?

Her door opened and Fixer stepped in. Omega's stomach dropped at the sight of him.

"Doctor Se requires your presence." He said in a monotone.

Omega nodded and slipped off of her bed. A new batch of clones must have arrived. She followed Fixer out of the room and into the steely halls of the facility.

Omega glanced at Fixer as they walked. She had thought that perhaps his chip had been wearing off too. He'd been milder, still quoting the rules at her, but without the coldness of the chip. He'd even given her a few explanations while doing Nala Se's requested repairs.

Then he'd done- something. Omega still didn't know what. All she knew that she had woken up to two regular clone guards instead of Fixer. Omega knew better to ask about it. She did hear in passing from a pair of TK troopers, that Fixer had attempted to access something he wasn't supposed to.

Omega wondered if he had been trying to find his squad.

Now Fixer was back, more frigid than he'd ever been. He was also- rougher with Omega. He pushed her when she didn't obey fast enough and had even grabbed her arm with a painfully tight grip when she hadn't immediately moved when ordered to.

With Fixer's change, Omega was completely alone again.

To her confusion, Fixer escorted her not to the bay where incoming clones were processed, but towards the unknown sections of the facility. Omega's heart began to pound. Were they going to decommission her? What had she done wrong? She'd done her best to be obedient.

When Fixer finally opened a door, it was a simple examination room. Nala Se was there, along with a human man with dark hair. He cradled his arm as he looked at Omega.

"Ah." He said. "This must be Omega."

His smooth voice grated on Omega. In anybody else, his tone would have been kind, but from him- it reminded her of Tech making her take a sickly sweet medicine when she had been ill. But Tech would have stopped if she had protested enough. She had a horrible feeling that this man would force his voice on her no matter how hard she cried.

"Yes, Doctor Hemlock." Nala Se said.

Omega knew the Kaminoan well enough to hear the slight strain in her voice.

"One of the last specimens of Jango Fett's pure DNA." Doctor Hemlock mused. Omega didn't like the way he looked at her, like she really was just a specimen. "But her hair-"

"Omega was the purest replication of the female clones we produced." Nala Se said. "Along with being the most viable. The only aberration is a fairly common mutation that changes hair color."

"Fascinating." Doctor Hemlock said. "I'm going to have to do a full examination, of course."
Omega felt sick. Nala Se's examinations had always been- invasive. This shouldn't have bothered her. She hadn't known privacy until her brothers had rescued her.

But even before her brothers, the examinations had always been with Nala Se, no one else. Omega was used to the Kaminoan knowing her body to the last detail.

"Omega." Nala Se said. "Please prepare yourself."

Omega instinctively shrank back and found that Fixer was standing right behind her. She didn't know if his presence was comforting or not.

"Omega." Nala Se said, in a tone that Omega knew.

It meant that whatever bad thing that was going to happen, something worse would come if she didn't obey.

Omega obeyed.

"I'm curious, Doctor Se." Doctor Hemlock said as Omega got undressed. "Why didn't you tell me that she was a near perfect replication?"

"I was unaware that you needed one for your work." Nala Se said. "We are no longer creating clones of Jango Fett. We would not need his DNA."

"She has more value to this project than you realize." Hemlock said.

Omega didn't really comprehend what they were saying. She was too focused on forcing herself onto the examination table.

She wouldn't cry. She wouldn't cry. She wouldn't cry. She found herself fixating on Fixer's glowing visor. The shape reminded her of her brothers. She followed the lines of his armor, painting it in black and red in her mind. Except, if her brothers were really here, this wouldn't be happening.

Was it her imagination, or were his fists clenched?

Finally it was over, and Nala Se gave Omega permission to get dressed. Omega retreated to be near Fixer. Chip or no chip, there was safety in being near her own flesh and blood.

"She's in good health, it seems." Doctor Hemlock said. "Excellent. We can begin the first round of testing in the next few rotations."

"What will this testing entail?" Nala Se asked.

"That is none of your concern." Doctor Hemlock said.

Nala Se was silent for a moment.

"She is vital to my own research." She said. "I would prefer if she remained unscathed."

Omega looked up, a mix of confused feelings in her chest. Nala Se had not hesitated to perform experiments on her in the past. They were often painful. Why wouldn't she want to now?

Even more pressing than that question was that it was going to happen again. Hunter had promised her that she would never be treated like an experiment again. She tried hard to breathe, but it was becoming harder and harder as she faced the idea of being poked and prodded while strapped to a table.

"If all goes well, she will." Doctor Hemlock said. "But you must understand, Doctor Se, sacrifices must be made for progress."

Omega wanted Nala Se to protest, to fight for her. But she had been with her brothers too long. Nala Se merely dipped her head.

"CC-1140, take her to cell 8B" Doctor Hemlock said.

Fixer nodded and grabbed Omega's shoulder when she didn't immediately move. He had to practically drag her from the room.

Omega barely felt it. Hunter had promised. He had promised. Her brothers had all told her that she was never going back, that they would take care of her.

Why weren't they here? Why hadn't they found her?

A horrible, horrible thought hit Omega. What if they had tried- and failed? Were her brothers even still alive?

Omega began to cry. She could barely walk. She stumbled to the floor as Fixer pulled her along. She flinched as she waited for him to jerk her to her feet.

He didn't. Omega looked up at him through tear blurred eyes. He was just staring at her.

The tiniest spark of hope flickered to life in her. Was whatever they had done to him wearing off?

"Please, Fixer." She whispered.

He just looked at her. Then he pulled her to her feet. It wasn't harsh, but it wasn't gentle either.

Finally they arrived at the cell. Fixer nudged her in. Omega stumbled to the cot in the corner and sat down.

I want to go home.

It wasn't the first time Omega had thought it, but she had often pushed it from her. She had been trying to be brave. She was tired of being brave.

"I want to go home." She whispered aloud. "Please, I want to go home."

At first she didn't know who she was pleading with, but soon she answered herself.

"Please, Hunter, I want to go home!" She found herself sobbing. "Tech, Crosshair! I want to go home!"

She wrapped her arms around her stomach.

"I want to go home, Wrecker, Echo!" She said. "Please, please please."

She didn't know how long she cried, begging her brothers to come save her. But eventually she ran out of tears and lay exhausted on her bed.

She was never going to see them again, she thought dully. The idea only caused a few more tears to leak from her eyes. Doctor Hemlock was either going to kill her during the experiments or get rid of her when he was done with her. That's how the Kaminoans had done it.

She let herself fall asleep. Dreams were the only place she would see her brothers ever again.

Mando'a:

vod'ika: little brother

From the top!

Haali is supposed to be read with more of a nordic accent, in case you were wondering. And no, I'm not going to say what the video of Crosshair is. I leave it to your imaginations.

Kix would like very much for his older brother to not make out with his wife in front of him. I feel this is a reasonable request.

In case you're wondering, Ossus is the place that Luke is building his new Jedi school in the Book of Boba Fett. I thought it was a nice place for them to end up. Plo was greatly traumatized by Order 66 and needs a nap. And to not watch his sons die. Wolffe probably had to fight really hard for him to go though. I hope that I can find an opportunity for Gek and the 104th to go completely FERAL.

At least one clone has written 'we kicked ass' in one of their reports. Fives has likely done this.

Orynth and Behla have not been mentioned by name before, but they're two of several people who are in love with Rex.

Rex basically saw Ahsoka tear a piece of her own skin off and then slapped her hand in panic to make her stop. Except in the Force.

Barriss needs to chill out and relax a little. She needs to watch Rebels, where it is CLEARLY shown that love without attachment is possible.

And now...basically the episode of the Bad Batch where Crosshair is getting tortured while the Batch are happy on Pabu. Except that it's Omega who's not with them. If the Batch knew Hemlock had his hands on her...

If it's not clear, Fixer got his chip enhanced like Crosshair did in canon.

This part was kind of hard for me. For the first time I got the sense that I was close to crossing a line. Which is saying something. Though my editor said that this was some of my best writing, especially Omega's breakdown at the end. Which is probably because it comes from my own experiences.

Anyway, that should be everything!

Stay safe, remember to review, and have a great week!